Ubuntu 9.04 vs. Vaio VGN-Z31WN

Even though Sony's Vaio Z series is not that new, Linux support could be better. One of the first addresses to check is the "Sony Vaio Z-series Laptop" team on launchpad which can be found here. This and the corresponding mailing list provide the most current and comprehensive information on how to operate Linux on a Z series Vaio.

A lot of progress is currently being made. Thanks to the custom sony-laptop module, which you will have to compile yourself at the time of this writing, many things are working:

• WLAN
• Bluetooth
  
• standby and hibernate
• stamina mode with Intel graphics with approx. 4 hours running time on battery with WLAN on and medium brightness
• Fn key combinations for volume up/down and mute
• Fn key combinations to increase/decrease brightness
• Eject key for the DVD burner

All that makes this notebook very usable already. Although the most important feature is to get the WWAN adapter going. I describe my efforts in the next posting.

I have not yet attempted to use the fingerprint reader yet.